Pole for the Indianapolis 500 is a highlight-reel moment for any driver or team, even the ones who earn it relatively often. For Robert Shwartzman and PREMA, leading the field to the green this afternoon reframes the entire season. PREMA, a powerhouse across European development series for decades, is counting down the hours to its sixth-ever IndyCar race and its first on an oval. Callum Ilott’s three previous Indy 500 starts represent the entirety of the line-up’s experience on the Speedway. Shwartzman will make his first career Indy start from pole: a big moment for him, and as team sporting advisor Ryan Briscoe explains, a shot in the arm for the entire organization.
Team’s Struggle and Success
“It’s been a really difficult start, just getting into IndyCar, building a brand-new facility, moving into it over Christmas… and then just once the season gets rolling, you’re on the back foot trying to keep up. It’s not like in IndyCar you just go to the suppliers and buy all the stuff, and you’ve got what everyone else has. You buy the stuff, and then it’s not good enough and you have to do work to make it good enough,” Briscoe shared.
The team faced challenges in preparing for the Indy 500, with the cars coming out of the paint shop just a week before the race. Despite the hurdles, they managed to find competitive speed, surprising themselves with their performance. The focus on qualifying paid off, with Shwartzman achieving top results early on, thanks to the engineering staff’s meticulous research and setup work.
Learning Curve in IndyCar
PREMA’s transition to IndyCar has been a learning experience, with European racing knowledge needing adjustments for the nuances of IndyCar and its bumpy tracks. The team has been working on incorporating the best practices from both worlds, along with understanding each driver’s preferences. Shwartzman, in particular, has been actively involved in the process, providing real-time feedback to help fine-tune the setups.
Despite the challenges, the team’s pole position at Indy symbolizes a significant achievement, not just for Shwartzman but for the entire organization. The unexpected success has boosted morale and motivated everyone to continue pushing forward. As they gear up for the race, the team aims to build on their qualifying performance and translate it into a strong showing on race day.
Inexperienced but Determined
Shwartzman’s lack of oval racing experience adds an extra layer of complexity to his Indy 500 debut. As a rookie in this unique environment, he faces seasoned competitors and champions on the track. Briscoe’s advice to keep it simple and focus on a smooth start highlights the importance of maintaining composure and adapting to the challenges of oval racing.
The team’s ultimate goal is to leverage their pole position success into a competitive race performance, despite the tough competition and the uncertainties of oval racing. With a strong foundation laid in qualifying, PREMA aims to continue their progression throughout the season, aiming for consistent top-10 finishes and establishing themselves as a force to be reckoned with in the series.
